Mrs. Dessie A. Meeks, 86, of Lake City, passed away on Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at the Haven Hospice Suwannee Valley Care Center.  Mrs. Meeks was a native and lifelong resident of Columbia County and daughter to the late Cleveland C. and Maude Spradley Allbritton.  She was a member of the 1948 graduating class of Columbia High School.  Mrs. Meeks was the first female bus driver in Columbia County to retire with over 30 years of service, from 1961-1992.  She was an active member of Athens Baptist Church serving many years in different positions, including Sunday School Secretary and singing in the choir.  Mrs. Meeks loved to cook and was the best country cook around.  She enjoyed spending time with her family and her grandchildren.  Mrs. Meeks was preceded in death by two brothers, C.J. and Clifton Allbritton.

Survivors include her husband of 67 years, Leon Meeks; two sons, Alvin Meeks (Barbara) and Gary Meeks (Pat), both of Lake City; two daughters, Shirley Jenkins (T.D.), Lake City and Charlotte Warren (Chris), Orlando; one brother, Ralph Allbritton (Pat), Mt. Dora; one sister, Mildred Tomlinson, Lake Hamilton; eleven grandchildren, Shaun Meeks (Sarah Manasala), Charlie Thornton, Andy Thornton, and Vicki Thornton all of Lake City, Ashley Medeiros (Travis) and Brandy Bryant (Kenny) both of Lake City, Michael Jenkins (Somer), Justin Jenkins (Bethany), and Brendan Jenkins all of Lake City, and Mary Elizabeth Warren, Birmingham, AL and John Warren, Orlando; and 14 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, February 13, 2016 at 11:00 am at Athens Baptist Church with Rev. Tommy Bankston officiating and assisted by Rev. Jim Fross, pastor.  Interment will follow at the church cemetery.  Visitation with the family will be Friday evening from 5-7:00 pm at the funeral home.